Gracilechinus acutus
| Gracilechinus acutus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gracilechinus acutus at the Biodiversarium of the Observatoire océanologique de Banyuls-sur-Mer | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Echinoidea |
| Order: | Echinoida |
| Family: | Echinidae |
| Genus: | Gracilechinus |
| Species: | G. acutus |
| Binomial name | |
| Gracilechinus acutus Lamarck, 1816 [1] | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Echinus acutus | |
Gracilechinus acutus is a species of sea urchin in the family Echinidae, commonly known as the white sea urchin. It is an omnivore and feeds on algae and small invertebrates.[2]
Description
The white sea urchin grows to a diameter of 15 centimetres. The test is circular in cross section but rises conically to the apex. it is reddish-brown or occasionally green with white stripes on the ambulacra. Spine cover is sparse. The primary spines are long and tapering while the secondaries are short. There are many pedicellariae round the mouth.[2]
Distribution
The white sea urchin is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel at depths of up to 100 metres on coarse substrates with mud and gravel.[2]
Test of a Gracilechinus acutus
References
- ↑ Echinus acutus Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 2011-08-27
- 1 2 3 Echinus acutus Association Mer et Littoral. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
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